The Miami Heat entered the offseason with no cap space, but they were able to get creative and make a splash, swinging a sign-and-trade deal with the Philadelphia 76ers to acquire Jimmy Butler.
As a result, the Heat are a trendy pick to jump into the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference, which isn't really saying all that much given how weak the East is.
The good news for Miami is that it should have some cap space to make some moves next summer, so this could essentially be seen as a bridge year for the Heat.
So, here are five bold predictions for Miami entering the 2019-20 NBA campaign:
5. They'll Try to Move Kelly Olynyk
Kelly Olynyk has been one of the more underrated players in the league ever since his early Boston Celtics days, as he is a good floor-spacing big who is also a lowkey solid defender.
But with Olynyk having a $13.2 million player option he could potentially exercise for the 2020-21 campaign, it makes sense for the Heat to avoid the chances of him exercising it.
There has been some trade chatter surrounding Olynyk throughout the offseason, with some suggesting he could be moved sometime between now and the February trade deadline.
He is definitely very tradeable, as he is a solid player on a solid contract (he will earn $12.7 million this coming season), so Miami might be able to squeeze a decent asset out of him.
4. Jimmy Butler and Dion Waiters will Clash
Butler does not exactly have a high tolerance for inconsistent teammates, and Dion Waiters is the epitome of inconsistency.
When Waiters is on, he can be an unstoppable force offensively, but when he is off, he is almost useless, kind of like Nick Young or J.R. Smith (but better).
It seems hard to imagine Butler and Waiters not clashing throughout the season, as both guys are ball-dominant players who will probably represent two of Miami's top three scorers.
I would be surprised if there isn't at least one instance this coming year where an incident doesn't occur between Butler and Waiters, as they just don't seem to mix at all.
3. Bam Adebayo will Break Out
The main reason the Heat traded Hassan Whiteside this offseason was to get out from under his salary, but the fact that Miami has Bam Adebayo (who actually displaced Whiteside as the starting center for part of this past season) certainly made moving him easier.
Adebayo averaged 8.9 points and 7.3 rebounds over 23.3 minutes per game while shooting 57.6 percent from the floor and 73.5 percent from the free-throw line in 2018-19, so he has already shown he can play.
But now that Whiteside is out of town, Adebayo will get much heavier minutes as the full-time starter, which could ultimately lead to the 22-year-old averaging a double-double.
Plus, unlike Whiteside, Adebayo can actually make free throws, so he is not a complete liability late in games, and while he may not be the shot blocker Whiteside is, he is probably the better all-around defender.
2. Justise Winslow will Make an All-Defensive Team
Justise Winslow showed significant improvement offensively this past season, averaging 12.6 points per game while shooting 43.3 percent from the floor and 37.5 percent from three-point range. Yes, he still struggled from the free-throw line (62.8 percent), but his sudden ability to consistently hit threes is a major development.
But that's not what Winslow is known for.
Winslow is known for his defense and is essentially Miami's version of Marcus Smart. This kid can defend just about any position due to his combination of strength, instincts and toughness, and it's only a matter of time before everyone begins to take notice.
Smart finally got his recognition, making First-Team All-Defense for the 2018-19 campaign. Maybe Winslow will join him in 2019-20.
1. The Heat will Have to Fight for a Playoff Spot
There are some who think the Heat are a lock to make the playoffs next season, but I don't fall into that category.
I think the Bucks, 76ers, Celtics, Pacers, Nets and Magic are all better than Miami, and if the Raptors and Pistons don't blow up their rosters with trades, they might both be better than Miami, too.
So, yes: there is still a distinct possibility that the Heat miss the postseason next year, as this team simply does not have a whole lot of depth, and whether it's Butler or Goran Dragic or Waiters, there are injury concerns up and down the roster.
I don't think Miami will be anything more than a 42 or 43-win team, which will absolutely have it in hunt for a playoff spot, but doesn't guarantee them anything.
Basically, even if the Heat make the playoffs, they will likely be a 7 or 8 seed.
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